Cardiac Valve Delivery Devices And Systems

ABSTRACT

A delivery device includes a central elongate structure including an annular member at the distal end, a sheath, a plurality of tethers extending through the central elongate structure, a handle, and a control on the handle. The handle is connected to the elongate structure, the sheath, and the plurality of tethers. The control is configured to move the sheath proximally and distally over the central elongate structure. The annular member includes a plurality of pockets extending radially therearound. Each tether includes a feature on a distal end thereof configured to fit within a pocket of the plurality of pockets to hold the tethers in place.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/161,747, filed May 14, 2015, titled “CARDIAC VALVE DELIVERY DEVICES AND SYSTEMS,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the treatment of cardiac valve disorders, such as mitral valve replacement, using minimally invasive techniques. In particular, this application is directed towards devices for delivering and placing replacement mitral valves.

BACKGROUND

The mitral valve lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. Various diseases can affect the function of the mitral valve, including degenerative mitral valve disease and mitral valve prolapse. These diseases can cause mitral stenosis, in which the valve fails to open fully and thereby obstructs blood flow, and/or mitral insufficiency, in which the mitral valve is incompetent and blood flows passively in the wrong direction.

Many patients with heart disease, such as problems with the mitral valve, are intolerant of the trauma associated with open-heart surgery. Age or advanced illness may have impaired the patient's ability to recover from the injury of an open-heart procedure. Additionally, the high costs associated with open-heart surgery and extra-corporeal perfusion can make such procedures prohibitive.

Patients in need of cardiac valve repair or cardiac valve replacement can be served by minimally invasive surgical techniques. In many minimally invasive procedures, small devices are manipulated within the patient's body under visualization from a live imaging source like ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or endoscopy. Minimally invasive cardiac procedures are inherently less traumatic than open procedures and may be performed without extra-corporeal perfusion, which carries a significant risk of procedural complications.

Prosthetic valve replacement procedures can be difficult, and various factors are generally taken into account when placing the valve. First, the prosthetic valve should be placed at the same or very nearly the same angle as the native valve. A valve that is off axis could cause turbulent blood flow and/or potential para-valvular leaks. Second, the prosthetic valve should ideally have concentricity. This means that the valve is placed in the same center as the native valve. An off center deployment or valve placement could affect the mechanism of neighboring valves or the heart's conductive system. Finally, the prosthetic valve should be at the proper depth within the patient's heart with respect to the location of the native valve, as otherwise, the prosthetic valve may interfere with the conductive nature of the heart as well.

A safe and efficient delivery system and method for replacement of a cardiac valve that addresses some or all of these concerns is described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, in one embodiment, a delivery device includes a central elongate structure, a sheath configured to slide over the central elongate structure, a plurality of tethers extending through the central elongate structure, a handle, and a control on the handle configured to move the sheath proximally and distally over the central elongate structure. The central elongate structure includes an annular member at a distal end. The handle is connected to the elongate structure, the sheath, and the plurality of tethers. The annular member includes a plurality of pockets extending radially therearound. Each tether includes a feature on a distal end thereof configured to fit within a pocket of the plurality of pockets to hold the tether in place.

This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The feature can be a cone or a sphere. The feature can be radiopaque. The handle can further include a locking mechanism configured to prevent the control from moving the sheath past a set distance, thereby preventing the features from releasing from the pockets. The locking mechanism can be releasable so as to allow the sheath to move past the set distance to release the features from the pockets. The handle can further include a tether controller configured to provide tension or release tension to each of the plurality of tethers. The handle can further include a tether lock having an open and closed position configured to prevent further loosening or tensioning of the tether when the tether lock is in the closed position. The handle can further include a secondary release knob coupled to the tether controller for allowing the plurality of tethers to be released at their proximal ends. The delivery device can further include a ratcheting assembly configured to prevent forward and back driving of the tether controller. The ratcheting assembly can include a plurality of ratchets coupling the tether controller and the secondary release knob, two beads symmetrically disposed in two channels within the secondary release knob, and three wells adjacent to the bottom of each of the two channels such that only one well is exposed to the bottom of each of the two channels at any one time. The two beads can be maintained at the bottom of the two channels with corresponding springs, and tension to the two beads may be released with corresponding actuators. A location of each bead in one of the three wells of each channel can correspond to limiting tether controller movement in one direction, limiting tether controller movement in an opposite direction, or allowing the tether controller to move in the first or the second direction. The delivery device can further include a series of magnetic strips along one side of the device. The delivery device can further include a grasper that is configured to magnetically couple to the delivery device through the series of magnetic strips. The grasper can include a coupling aperture adapted to couple to a support arm and a grasper knob that when turned is adapted to move the delivery device in an axial direction for placing a prosthetic valve. The delivery device can further include an outer sheath configured to cover a distal portion of the delivery device for maintaining an incision site during a prosthetic valve placement procedure. The outer sheath can further include an annular groove at its distal end for coupling to an incision site boundary when the incision site boundary is cinched together. The delivery can further include a prosthetic valve loading aid for placing the prosthetic valve into the sheath.

In general, in one embodiment, a method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve includes: (1) extending a prosthetic delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a sheath of the delivery device; (2) pulling the sheath proximally to expose at least a distal anchor of the prosthetic valve, thereby allowing the distal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; (3) pulling the valve proximally to seat the distal anchor in the expanded annular configuration against a mitral valve annulus; (4) loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device so as to allow the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a second side of the mitral valve annulus, the expansion of the proximal anchor causing the proximal anchor to move towards the distal anchor and capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor; (5) pulling the sheath further proximally to allow the tethers to release from the proximal anchor; and (6) removing the delivery device from the heart.

This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The step of pulling the sheath further proximally can release distal ends of the tethers. The method can further include releasing a proximal end of at least one tether if a distal end of the at least one tether becomes tangled. Distal ends of the tethers can be configured to fit within pockets of the delivery device, and the step of pulling the sheath further proximally can release the distal ends of the tethers. The distal ends of the tethers can include enlarged features configured to fit within the pockets. The enlarged features can be cones or spheres. The method can further include: (1) tightening the plurality of tethers to re-collapse the proximal anchor before the step of pulling the sheath further proximally; (2) moving the distal anchor to a new position against the mitral valve annulus; and (3) re-loosening the plurality of tethers so as to allow the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a second side of the mitral valve annulus, the expansion of the proximal anchor causing the proximal anchor to move towards the distal anchor and capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor.

In general, in one embodiment, a method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve includes: (1) extending a prosthetic delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a sheath of the delivery device; (2) sliding the sheath to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic valve and allowing the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; (3) allowing a distal anchor of the prosthetic valve to self-expand on a second side of the mitral valve annulus after allowing the proximal anchor to self-expand, the expansion of the distal anchor causing the distal anchor to move towards the proximal anchor and capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor; and (4) removing the delivery device from the heart.

This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. Sliding the sheath can include sliding the sheath distally. Sliding the sheath to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic valve can allow the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration. Allowing the distal anchor to self-expand can include loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device that are coupled to the distal anchor.

In general, in one embodiment, a method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve includes: (1) extending a prosthetic delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a proximal sheath and a distal sheath of the delivery device, wherein the distal sheath is configured to telescope over a portion of the proximal sheath; (2) sliding the proximal sheath proximally to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic valve and allowing the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; (3) allowing a distal anchor of the prosthetic valve to self-expand on a second side of the mitral valve annulus after allowing the proximal anchor to self-expand by extending the distal sheath, the expansion of the distal anchor causing the distal anchor to move towards the proximal anchor and capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor; and (4) removing the delivery device from the heart.

This and other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. Sliding the proximal sheath to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic valve can allow the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration after loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device that are coupled to the proximal anchor. Allowing the distal anchor of the prosthetic valve to self-expand can include sliding the distal sheath in a distal direction. The plurality of tethers can further be tensioned to completely free the plurality of tethers from the proximal anchor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 2A shows another embodiment of a prosthetic delivery device.

FIG. 2B is a cross-section of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows the delivery device of FIG. 2A with the sheath partially proximally withdrawn.

FIG. 4 shows the delivery device of FIG. 2A with the tethers exposed.

FIG. 5 shows the delivery device of FIG. 2A with the tethers partially retracted.

FIG. 6 shows the delivery device of FIG. 2A with the tethers and retaining elements fully released.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 11A shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve delivery device.

FIG. 11B shows a close-up of the delivery device of FIG. 11A without an outer sleeve and a tether loading cone.

FIG. 11C shows a cross-section of the delivery device of FIG. 11A along its longitudinal axis without a grasper.

FIG. 12A shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A unsheathed.

FIG. 12B shows a cross-sectional view of the unsheathed delivery device of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C shows a close up of the cross-section of the distal end of the unsheathed device of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A shows the fully unsheathed delivery device of FIG. 12A where a tether control knob has been pushed distally along with a series of hypotubes for deploying a proximal end of a replacement prosthetic valve.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the fully unsheathed delivery device of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C shows a close up of the cross-section of the distal end of the unsheathed device of FIG. 13A where a series of hypotubes have advanced distally.

FIG. 14 shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A where a clip maintaining tether tension has been removed.

FIG. 15A shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A where a tether ends holder near the distal end is exposed, and tether ends are able to release.

FIG. 15B shows a close-up of the tether ends retainer of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B show a tether ends retainer from on top and angled side view.

FIG. 17 shows a cross-section of a tether control lever and a secondary release knob.

FIG. 18A shows an alternative embodiment of the proximal tether control and retaining feature having a truncated conical washer.

FIG. 18B shows a top portion of the truncated conical washer of FIG. 18A having three channels.

FIG. 19 shows a ratcheting system for maintaining the position of a tether control lever and a secondary release knob.

FIG. 20A shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A having a prosthetic valve inserted onto the distal end but uncoupled to the delivery device.

FIG. 20B shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A having the prosthetic valve attached at its proximal end but not drawn into the delivery device.

FIG. 20C shows the delivery device of FIG. 11A having the prosthetic valve partially drawn into the delivery device.

FIG. 21A shows a top view of a grasper.

FIG. 21B shows a bottom view of the grasper of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of a handle of a delivery device for mating attachment to a grasper.

FIG. 23A shows another embodiment of a delivery device.

FIG. 23B shows a close up of the distal end of the delivery device of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C shows the delivery device of FIG. 23A with a distal inner sheath and a proximal inner sheath moving away from one another.

FIG. 23D shows the distal inner sheath and the proximal inner sheath of FIG. 23C moving farther from one another.

FIG. 23E shows a tether retainer becoming exposed after the proximal inner sheath has been fully further in the proximal direction relative to FIG. 23D.

FIG. 23F shows proximal ends of a prosthetic valve deployed but still coupled to a series of tethers of the delivery device of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23G shows the prosthetic valve fully deployed and uncouple to the tether ends of the delivery device of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A shows another embodiment of a delivery device.

FIG. 24B shows a distal end inner sheath of the delivery device of FIG. 24A partially extended in the distal direction.

FIG. 24C shows the distal inner sheath of the delivery device of FIG. 24A extended in a position where proximal end petals are deployed.

FIG. 24D shows the distal inner sheathe extend at an even more distal position relative to FIG. 24C such that an entire prosthetic valve has been deployed.

FIG. 24E shows the distal inner sheath of FIG. 24A extended in the farthest distal end position such that pockets of a tether retainer are exposed and allow the tether ends to be freed.

FIG. 24F shows the tether ends being retracted to allow the delivery device now to be removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The delivery devices described herein can be used to deliver and deploy a wide variety of replacement heart valves, such as prosthetic valves adapted to be minimally invasively delivered. Exemplary prosthetic valves that can be delivered and deployed include the expandable prosthetic valves described in application Ser. No. 14/677,320, filed Apr. 2, 2015, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,948, and in International Patent Application filed May 13, 2016, titled “REPLACEMENT MITRAL VALVES,” and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/677,320, filed Apr. 2, 2015, titled “REPLACEMENT CARDIAC VALVES AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE,” all of which are incorporated by reference herein. For example, the delivery devices herein are configured to be able to delivery and deploy a replacement heart valve, such as a mitral valve, with distal and proximal anchors.

Replacement heart valves can be collapsed into a delivery configuration so they can fit within the described delivery devices. The replacement heart valves can be delivered to the treatment site within the delivery device and then deployed from the delivery device. The delivery device can be configured such that the distal and proximal anchors can be sequentially deployed as desired from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.

If necessary, the replacement valves can be repositioned, re-sheathed (partially or completely) if necessary, and then re-deployed.

In methods of use, the mitral valve prosthesis can be delivered using one of the delivery devices described herein to a cardiac valve orifice, such as the mitral valve, by using minimally invasive techniques to access the cardiac valve. Access routes and procedures are known, such as making small incisions in the patient's body and passing the prosthesis through the apex of the heart to, for example, a mitral valve. This can be referred to as the transatrial delivery approach. In such a transatrial delivery system for a mitral valve replacement, the distal-most anchor is delivered to the ventricle while the proximal-most anchor is delivered to the atrium. An additional exemplary access route includes delivering the valve through the venous system and into the left atrium via a transseptal puncture. A transseptal approach can impart size limitations on the delivery and thus the delivery profile of the replacement heart valve. Additionally, a transseptal approach can also impart certain flexibility requirements on the replacement heart valve. For the transseptal delivery system for mitral valve replacement, the distal-most anchor is delivered to the atrium while the proximal-most anchor is delivered to the ventricle.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary delivery device 100 that is configured to deliver and deploy a mitral valve prosthesis. The delivery device 100 allows self-expansion of a distal portion of the prosthesis, such as a distal anchor, and controlled deployment of a proximal portion of the prosthesis, such as a proximal anchor. The delivery device 100 includes a central control assembly that includes a central hub 107, which has a lumen extending therethrough. Disposed within and secured within the lumen of the central hub 107 is central stem 118, which extends further distally than the central hub 107, and whose distal region is coupled to nosecone 106. The central control assembly further includes a retaining member 120 secured to the central stem 118 for controlling expansion of the valve prosthesis. Retaining member 120 is configured to interact with a proximal region of the prosthesis (not shown for clarity) and, with the use of sheath 116 as described below, facilitate a controlled deployment of the proximal region of the prosthesis.

Delivery device 100 further includes an outer sheath 116 coupled to sheath control 152. The central control assembly is disposed within sheath 116, and the system is configured so that sheath 116 can be axially moved (proximally and distally) relative to the central control assembly. The distal region 123 of central hub 107, the proximal end of nosecone 106, and the inner surface of sheath 116 define a prosthesis delivery region 115, which is configured to receive and retain therein a prosthesis in a collapsed configuration for delivery.

While the prosthesis is not shown for clarity, in this configuration of the delivery device, the expandable prosthesis would be in a collapsed configuration inside delivery region 115 due to the radial constraint provided by sheath 116. When collapsed, the proximal portion of the prosthesis interacts with, e.g. is attached to, raised elements 125 of retaining member 120. The proximal portion of the prosthesis can include a plurality of self-expandable cells, arcs, or arches (generally referred to herein as cells), such as those features described in application Ser. No. 14/677,320, U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,948, and International Patent Application filed May 13, 2016 and titled “REPLACEMENT MITRAL VALVES.” The cells of the proximal portion of the prosthesis (e.g., the proximal anchor), when collapsed, interface with raised elements 125 such that they are looped around raised elements 125. Raised elements 125 project radially outward, extending further radially than valleys 119, which are in between adjacent raised elements 125 and whose configuration is defined by the configuration of the projecting raised elements 125. The raised elements 125 are configured and sized so that when sheath 116 is positioned over the raised elements 125 (i.e., is disposed radially outwardly relative thereto), the space between the inner surface of sheath 116 and the radially outermost surface of raised elements 125 does not allow the cells of the proximal portion of the prosthesis to pass through the space. Raised elements 125 and sheath 116 are therefore sized and configured to maintain the proximal-most portions of the prosthesis proximal to raised elements 125 while the rest of the prosthesis is positioned distal to the raised elements 125. This prevents the proximal portion of the prosthesis from expanding sooner than desired as the sheath is being retracted proximally during deployment of the prosthesis.

The sheath 116 and raised elements 125 are also sized and configured to allow the self-expandable proximal portion of the valve prosthesis to expand radially outward only after the distal end of the sheath 116 has been retracted far enough proximally relative to raised elements 125. Upon removal of sheath lock 153, sheath 116 can be retracted proximally relative to central control assembly to expose the prosthesis and allow for self-expansion. That is, when the distal end of sheath 116 is retracted proximally past raised regions 125, the expandable proximal portion of the prosthesis will expand to its expanded configuration since the radially constraint of the sheath has been removed.

FIGS. 2A-2B show a delivery device 200 that is configured to control the expansion of the proximal portion of the anchor (as is the embodiment in FIG. 1) while allowing for recapture and/or movement of the proximal anchor was deployed. The delivery device 200 thus includes a central stem 218, a proximally retractable sheath 216, and a central control assembly. The central control assembly includes a plurality of looped tethers 226 (see FIG. 2B) extending therethrough and an annular member with constraining elements 224 extending therearound.

The tethers 226 extend down the center of the device 100. The tethers 226 form a loop at the distal end through which the constraining elements 224 extend. In use, the looped tethers 226 can be extended through portions of a prosthetic valve, such as the proximal anchor, and then the ends of the tethers 226 can loop around the constraining elements 224 (which are held in place by the sheath 216, as described below). The tethers 226 can be configured to be loosened using controls in the handle. When the loops of the tether 226 are loosed, the proximal end, of the prosthetic valve can expand, and when the loops are tightened, the proximal end of the prosthetic valve can collapse. Exemplary materials for the tethers 226 include polymers such as Force Fiber HDPE tether, a wire of nitinol, tungsten or stainless steel, or a braided tungsten or stainless steel cable.

The constraining elements 224 can be formed, for example, of a shape memory material and are configured to extend through the loops of tether 226, as described above. In some embodiments, the constraining elements 224 include a plurality of shape memory, e.g., nitinol, flaps or strips that are held down by the sheath 216, but open, release, or expand when the sheath 216 is retracted. The sheath 216 can thus retain the plurality of constraining elements 224 in closed or captured configurations, thereby ensuring that the tethers remain looped through the valve.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the sheath 216 extended fully distally over the stem 218. In this configuration, the valve prosthesis would be fully enclosed within the sheath 216—with the distal portion of the valve prosthesis held in the collapsed configuration by the sheath 216 and with the proximal portion of the valve prosthesis held in the collapsed configuration by the tightened tethers 226, which are in turn held in place by the constraints 224.

FIGS. 2A-6 illustrate a sequence of using the device 200. Thus, FIG. 3 shows the delivery device 200 after sheath 216 has been partially proximally withdrawn relative to the central stem 218 such that the distal end of the sheath 216 is substantially aligned with the distal end of the annular member with constraining elements 224. In this position, the distal end of the prosthesis, e.g., the distal anchor, would be allowed to self-expand and/or deploy. However, because the distal end of the sheath 216 is still distal to the capture elements 224, the capture elements 224 are still in their closed configuration, thereby maintaining their hold on the tethers 226.

FIG. 4 shows the delivery device after tethers 226 are distally advanced by distally advancing the proximal most handle 109. Distally advancing the looped tethers 226 loosens the loops relative to the prosthesis and allows the proximal portion of the prosthesis to be expanded. Tethers 226, however, are still in position relative the proximal side to be able to collapse the proximal anchor if needed.

Thus, referring to FIG. 5, the tethers 226 can advantageously be pulled distally to tighten the tethers and collapsing the proximal anchor (e.g. for movement and/or optimal placement of the prosthesis). FIG. 5 thus shows the tethers 226 tightened, which would in turn recollapse the proximal portion of the prosthesis. If needed, the entire valve can be retrieved back inside sheath 216, where the delivery device looks like what is shown in FIG. 2 after sheath has been advanced distally.

Referring to FIG. 6, to fully deploy and release the prosthesis (i.e., after positioned properly with the tethers 226 still attached), the sheath 216 can be pulled distally past the constraining members 224, thereby causing the tethers 226 to pop out of the constraining members 224.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a delivery device 300 that is similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2-6. In this embodiment, however, capture elements 324 do not have shape memory configurations. In this embodiment, capture elements 324 are configured to passively change configurations from a closed or capture configuration to an open or release configuration. Each of the retaining elements 324 is configured to mate with, or by keyed with, an indentation 325 of the central assembly. In this embodiment, the capture elements 324 have a substantially triangular shape. The mating configurations (with the sheath 316 thereover) keeps the capture elements 324 mated with the indentations 325. When sheath 316 is retracted past the capture elements 324, the capture elements 324 will not automatically revert to an open configuration due to the material properties of the retaining elements 324. Rather, they will be forced to an open configuration due to the self-expanding properties of the proximal portion of the prosthesis. Tethers, or other additional restraining elements can again be used to further control the expansion of the proximal portion of the prosthesis, as is described in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6.

FIG. 8 illustrates another delivery device 400. The delivery device 400 includes a central stem 418 and a sheath 416, similar to as described with respect to other devices described herein. Further, capture elements 424 function similar to capture elements 324.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative delivery device 500 having a tether ends retainer 524 with pockets 531 therein configured to hold the ends of a tether (i.e., rather than having the tether loop around a capture element). The details of such a tether ends retainer 524 be described further below with respect, for example, to FIG. 11A. The tethers extend through tether lumens 532. In some embodiments, the ends of the tethers (or sutures, wires, or other controllable restraining elements) can include a radiopaque marker in a region configured to change position when the proximal portion has been released from the restraining elements. For example, the radiopaque marker can be in a region that is configured to “open.” By including a marker on the portion that is configured to change position when the proximal portion has been released (and optional expanded), visualization can be used to determine when the proximal portion has been released by the restraining elements and expanded.

FIG. 11A shows another embodiment of a prosthetic valve replacement delivery device 700. The delivery device 700 includes a device proximal end 702 and a device distal end 704. As can be seen from FIG. 11A through 11C, the delivery device 700 has an elongated portion that terminates at a nosecone 706 at the device distal end 704. The nosecone 706 is coupled to a central stem 718, which is in turn coupled to a tether ends retainer 720 (described in detail below). The elongated portion includes an outer sheath 712 and an inner sheath 716. The central stem 718 also couples to a series of tether/suture maintaining hypodermic tubes that are able to slide along the central stem 718 (the hypodermic tubes will be further described below). The inner sheath 716 is configured to slide relative to the central stem 718 (extend and retract) to cover or expose certain retaining features of the delivery device, e.g., the tether ends retainer 720, (see FIG. 11B) as well as aid with maintaining the prosthetic valve within the delivery device 700 prior to deployment. The device proximal end 702 includes a handle 709 for holding onto the delivery device. Other components maintained within the proximal portion of the delivery device 700 will be discussed below. FIG. 11B shows a close-up of the distal end the delivery device 700, where it is more apparent that the nosecone 706 is attached to the central stem 718 and the central stem 718 is coupled to a tether ends retainer 720. FIG. 11C shows a cross-sectional view of the delivery device 700.

As best shown in FIG. 11B, the nosecone 706 is located at the device distal end 704 of the delivery device 700 and includes a tapered distal tip. The nosecone 706 is configured to aid with inserting the delivery device 700 into a position within a patient's heart for successful valve placement. The nosecone 706 tip has a small surface area such that if the nosecone 706 touches any portion of the patient's heart, less damage will be done to the heart. The nosecone 706 tip is also rounded or blunt so as to decrease the risk of puncturing the patient's heart if the nosecone tip contacts the surface of the heart.

Tethers 726 (see FIG. 20) aid with maintaining the prosthetic valve within the device 700. In most cases, the tethers are made of suture materials. The proximal ends are maintained by the tether control lever 738 while the distal ends are maintained within the tether retainer 720. The lengths of tether extend along and around the center stem 718, and each thread through a separate tubular structure. The tether ends that couple to the tether retainer 720 further include a feature for coupling the tether ends to the tether retainer 720, as is further discussed below.

The distal ends of the tethers are configured to loop through the proximal end, such as the prosthetic anchor, of the prosthetic valve. The distal ends of the tethers, once looped through the prosthetic anchor, are maintained by the tether retainer 720. The tether retainer 720 in relation to the delivery device 700, to the central stem 718 and the nosecone 706, can be seen in FIG. 11B. FIG. 16 also shows the tether retainer 720 unattached and by itself from two different angles. The tether retainer 720 has a substantially annular or cylindrical shape and has dimensions that allow it to fit within the inner sheath 716. The tether retainer 720 includes a tether retainer center aperture 721 and an array of apertures 723 within its internal core. The tether retainer center aperture 721 maintains the tether retainer 720 within the delivery device 700. The tethers threaded through the array of apertures 723, one tether per aperture. A series of hypotubes 732 (see FIG. 13C) are aligned with each of the apertures 723. Each single tether is threaded through a hypotube 732 prior to exiting through the array of apertures. The hypotubes 732 allows the individual tethers to be evenly spaced about the delivery device 700 and prevents asymmetric arrangement of the tethers around the central stem 718. Symmetric loading ensures symmetric tensioning of the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve, improving the loading of the device and the release characteristics. In this embodiment, there are nine apertures and nine hypotubes that maintain individual tethers at an even spacing within the delivery device body. In other examples, there may be more or fewer apertures and hypotubes for maintaining individual or multiple tether lines.

Once all the tethers have been looped around the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve, the free tether ends are brought back to the tether retainer 720. As can be seen from FIG. 16B, the outer surface of the tether retainer 720 includes a series of evenly spaced tether pockets 724 that are in fluid connection with corresponding series of tether slots 722. FIG. 20A shows the delivery device 700 having free tether 726 ends. Each tether 726 distal end can include a truncated cone, where an infinity knot at each tether end maintains the tether within the corresponding truncated cone. The truncated cones can be tapered distally to proximally. Each truncated cone may be inserted into one of the pockets 724 and then each tether maintained within the corresponding slot 722. The inner sheath 716 may be extended distally to cover the tether pockets 724. This aids with keeping the tether ends within the tether pockets 724.

The truncated cones on the distal end of the tethers may be made of any suitable rigid materials. The truncated cones are designed such that they easily release from the tether retainer 720. The geometry of the truncated cone are configured specifically to fit the tether pockets 724. The tether pockets 724 may also include additional features for maintaining the truncated cones of the tether ends when under tension. Further, the feature in the distal ends of the tethers need not be conical, but can be spherical or otherwise have a different shape. Materials for the distal features may include plastics, stainless steel, non-reactive polymers and so forth. In one example, the distal features are fabricated at least partially from tantalum.

The tether retainer 720 may also have a groove at its proximal end for an O-ring 708. The O-ring is to prevent excessive blood from penetrating rest of the delivery device during a procedure. Moreover, the distal end of the tether retainer 720 may have a diameter slightly less than that of the proximal end. This allows the tether retainer 720 when fitted with the O-ring to still fit within the inner sheath 716.

The tethers 726 are used to control the prosthetic valve within the delivery device and aid with placement of the prosthetic valve at the mitral valve site. The series of distal tether ends are maintained within the tether retainer 720. Referring to FIG. 11A, the series of proximal end tethers are held by tether (atrial) control lever 738. The tether control lever 738 includes a series of apertures 739 for holding the proximal tether ends, where appropriate knots at the proximal tether ends hold the tethers in place. Alternatively, proximal tether ends may include a knot holding feature that prevents the tether end from slipping through the tether control lever 738. The tether control lever 738 is a lever that allows the operator to easily adjust the tension on the tether ends with their thumb. Once the tether ends have been threaded through the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve and slotted into the tether pockets 724, the operator may tension the tether by pulling back on the tether control lever 738 and pull the prosthetic valve into the inner sheath 716. After the tether ends have been loaded, the tether control lock 734 may be flipped down to contact a tether control notch 736. The tether control lock 734 maintains the tethers in place.

Once the replacement have has been loaded into the delivery device 700, tension is maintained on the tethers until the prosthetic valve has been properly positioned. The mechanism for maintaining tension on the tethers includes the thumb screw 752 and the tether control lever 738. FIG. 17 is a close-up of a cross section showing the secondary release knob 7140 and the tether control lever 738. A few of the hypotubes 732 are visible. The proximal tether ends enter the tether control lever 738 through tether control channels 739, and jog around a washer that is adjacent to secondary release knob 140 before it enters the hypotube 732 jogs. A knot at the end of the proximal tether end prevents this end from slipping through the tether control lever 738. The secondary release knob 740 when it is tightened against the washer adjacent to the tether control lever 738 maintains tension on the proximal tether ends when the tether control lever 738 is pulled proximally.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12C, the handle 709 of the delivery device 700 includes the tether control lever 738. The tether control lever 738 is coupled with a secondary tether release knob 740. The tether control lever 738 and the secondary tether release knob 740 work to maintain the second (proximal) ends of the tethers. Also coupled to the tether control lever 738 on its distal side are the series of hypodermic tubes 732 (hypotubes for short) that are disposed around the central stem 718. The series of hypotubes 732 each hold one tether and are able to extend and retract along with the tether control lever 738.

FIGS. 13A-13C show the delivery device 700 where the tether control lever 738 and secondary tether release knob 740 have been pushed distally. This distal movement moves the series of hypotubes 732 as well from a more proximal location to a more distal location along the central stem 718 such that the series of hypotubes 732 meet and abut the tether ends retainer 720. When doing so, the tether ends retainer 720 remains stationary in its position on the central stem 718. The hypotubes 732 aide with keeping the tethers separated when there is slack in the tether lines as they are moved forward during deployment or when the prosthetic valve is being loaded. Notes that the tether ends retainer 720 remains stationary in its position on the central stem 718. This places the prosthetic valve in an optimal location on the delivery device 700 for loading and deployment.

Referring to FIG. 12A The handle portion 709 also includes an inner sheath control knob 752 which is coupled to a lead screw 750. These two components work to extend or retract the inner sheath 716. Sitting on the proximal side of the sheath control knob 752 is a clip 754 that prevents the inner sheath 716 from retracting too proximally until the prosthetic valve is ready to fully deploy, at which time the clip 754 may be pulled off.

In use, a prosthetic valve is first loaded into the device 700. FIG. 20A shows the loading of an exemplary mitral valve prosthesis 790. The prosthesis valve 790 generally has a cage-like appearance with a center aperture 793. The prosthetic valve 790 includes a proximal end petals 791 and distal end petals 792. In this embodiment, the mitral valve prosthesis includes two anchors having a series of cells with radially extending petals or loops. To load the prosthetic valve into the delivery device 700, the central stem 718 and nosecone 706 are first inserted through the center aperture 793 of the prosthetic valve. Next, individual lengths of tether 76 from a series of tethers originating from the device proximal end 702 and disposed around the central stem 718 portion, loop around each petal portion from the proximal end of the prosthetic valve (the end closer to the proximal end of the delivery device). While not all of the petals from the proximal end of the prosthetic valve need to be coupled to an individual tether, enough petals should be coupled to individual tethers such that when the series of tethers are pulled axially in the proximal direction, all the petals of the proximal end of the prosthetic valve will uncurl equally and evenly, and close in around the central stem 718. Then the free ends of the tether 726 having the truncated cones may be slipped into corresponding pockets 724 of the tether retainer 720.

After tensioning the tethers/sutures and pulling the proximal side petals of the prosthetic valve straight using the tether control lever 738, the inner sheath 716 may be extended distally with the sheath control knob 752 such that it begins to cover the straightened out proximal side petals of the prosthetic valve. Further retracting the tether retainer 720 will cause the tensioning forces to translate to other parts of the prosthetic valve. This additional tension is now able to pull the distal side petals on the prosthetic valve towards the inner sheath 716. Recall that, at this point, the proximal end petals are already maintained within the inner sheath 716, so that further tension on the proximal end of the prosthetic valve will now straighten out the distal petals of the prosthetic valve. Once the distal end petals of the prosthetic valve are completely retained within the inner sheath 716, then the delivery device 700 is fully loaded. The inner sheath 716 may be extended fully distally until it meets with nosecone 706. This can be done by rotating a sheath control knob 752. Rotating the sheath control knob 752 in one direction will extend the inner sheath 716 until it meets up with the nosecone 706, while rotating the sheath control knob 752 in the opposite direction will retract the inner sheath 716 proximally along the elongated portion 701 of the delivery device 700.

In some embodiments, a tether loading cone 710 (see FIG. 11A) may be used to aid with loading a prosthetic valve into the delivery device 700. The operator can apply tension to the series of tethers using the tether control lever 738 such that the prosthetic valve proximal petals are straightened enough to fit into the inner sheath 716. The tether loading cone 710 aids with directing the individual petals into inner sheath 716. As the operator continues to pull the series of tethers proximally, the proximal end petals will be completely housed within the inner sheath 716 followed by the central portion of the prosthetic valve (FIG. 20C). Once the prosthetic valve central portion has been pulled into the inner sheath 716, the tension being exerted on the prosthetic valve will continue to pull the prosthetic valve axially in the proximal direction such that the distal end petals now begin to uncurl and straighten out while being pulled into the inner sheath 716. The prosthetic valve is now completely loaded when the entire valve is maintained within the inner sheath 716 even though tension is still being maintained on the proximal end of the prosthetic valve through the tether control lever 738. Once the prosthetic valve has been loaded, the tether loading cone 710 may be removed and the valve placement procedure may proceed.

An outer sheath may be used to assist with delivery of the device 700. Thus, the delivery device 700 includes an outer sheath 712, which can be seen in FIGS. 12A-12C. FIG. 12A is a schematic of the delivery device 700. FIG. 12B shows a cross-section of the delivery device 700 along a longitudinal plane and FIG. 12C shows a close-up of the cross-section for the distal end of the delivery device 700. FIG. 12A shows the outer sheath 712 relative to the inner sheath 716. The outer sheath 712 is primarily used during insertion of the delivery device 700 into a patient's body cavity. The outer sheath 712 is slide-able along the elongated portion 701 to cover the elongated portion 701 up to the nosecone 706. Once an incision is made, a suture is purse string stitched around the perimeter of the incision. This allows the incision to be made smaller by pulling on the (purse string stitched) suture. As can be seen from FIG. 12A, the outer sheath 712 includes an outer sheath groove 714 disposed around its distal end. The incision may be cinched down around the outer sheath groove 714 such that the incision site is essentially closed off except for the delivery device 700. This is advantageous because it minimizes exposing a patient's internal system to the outside environment thereby reducing risk of harmful agents coming into contact with a patient's internal system. In addition, having the incision site cinched around the delivery device 100 also reduced the amount of blood loss during the procedure.

Because the outer sheath 712 is configured to move axially with respect to the remainder of the delivery device 700, an operator will still be able to maneuver the delivery device 700 within the incision site axially and also to some extent in a circular fashion within the incision site for finding optimal position to deploy the prosthetic valve. Thus the outer sheath 712 remains stationary once the incision site sutures have been tightened around the outer sheath groove 714, and the delivery device 700 is able to deliver the prosthetic valve with use components of the delivery device that are further described below.

Using the sheath 712, the operator may position the device distal end 704 in the proper location within the patient's heart. Once the operator is satisfied with the location of the device distal end 704, the sheath control knob 752 can be rotated to pull the sheath 716 proximally and expose the distal end petals of the prosthetic valve. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the inner sheath 716 retracted, which would expose the distal end of the valve (allowing it to expand) and expose the collapsed proximal end of the valve (held in the collapsed configuration by the tethers).

To expand the proximal end of the valve, the tether control lock 734 is unlocked so that the operator may begin to adjust the tether control lever 738. By pushing the tether control lever 738, tension on the tethers are lessened. The reduced tension on the tethers in combination with the inner sheath 716 being retracted, allow the series of distal petals on the prosthetic valve to curl back into their natural shape for positioning. Advantageously, at this point, if the operator decides that the proximal anchor and/or the entire valve has not be positioned as desired, the tethers can be tightened again, causing the proximal anchor to collapse. The inner sheath can then be advanced, fully covering the valve and allowing it to be either repositioned or removed entirely.

Once the positioning of the valve is finalized, the operator can release the valve from the delivery device 700. Referring to FIG. 14, to do so, the clip 754 disposed at the end of a lead screw 750 (shown in FIG. 12A) until now, has function to prevent the inner sheath 716 from retracting too far, may be removed. As shown in FIGS. 15A-15B, this allows the sheath control knob 752 to travel further toward the device proximal end 702 for releasing the tether ends (FIG. 14). Specifically, the clip 754 may be removed to allow the inner sheath 716 to retract to the farthest proximal position possible. Once at the inner sheath 716 is at the farthest proximal position, the tether retaining pockets 724 become exposed, and without the inner sheath 716 to maintain the tether ends within the pockets 724, the proximal tether ends are allowed to pop out of their respective pockets 724 and the proximal side of the prosthetic valve is able to deploy.

Now the entire prosthetic valve has been deployed and the delivery device may be removed. The outer sheath 712 can remain coupled to the incision site thought the outer sheath groove 714 and the purse-string suture. However, once the purse-string sutures are removed, then the entire delivery device may be removed.

In some embodiments, an operator may desired an alternative or additional method for removing the tethers from the proximal anchor (e.g., if the tethers get caught in the anchor and/or don't pop out of the pockets).

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 17, the secondary release knob 740 provides an alternative method of releasing the tethers if the tethers become tangled or fouled up during prosthetic valve loading or deployment. As FIG. 17 shows, the tethers are threaded through the tether control lever 738 past a washer or cushion before travelling distally to where the distal ends will loop around the prosthetic valve. As can be seen in FIG. 17, the secondary release knob 740 is screwed down against the washer or cushion to maintain tension on the tethers. In instances where the operator needs to reload the tethers, the release knob 740 may be used. To use the release knob 740, the operator rotates the knob 740 in the direction that reduces the force on the washer/cushion, thereby releasing tension on the tether ends against a washer. Because there is no need to adjust the secondary release knob 740 unless the operator needs to adjust tangled or stuck tethers, the secondary release knob 740 may be color coated a different color (i.e. red) to alert the operator that this knob should not be adjusted unless absolutely necessary to prevent the operator from inadvertently releasing the tether ends prior to fully loading the prosthetic valve or accidentally deploying the prosthetic valve prior to finding an optimal position for the valve.

An alternative embodiment of the alternative tether release mechanism is shown in FIGS. 18A and B. Here, a truncated cone 782 and corresponding funnel-shaped washer 780 apply tension to the proximal tether ends. The path that the tether ends take in this configuration has a much more natural angle compared to the approximately ninety degree angle jog that the proximal tether ends must take in the prior configuration described (FIG. 17). In this example, the tethers or sutures are threaded three each into each of the three channels 785. In this alternative configuration, a thrust bearing 784 is used to prevent rotation of the washer 780 when threading the thumb screw 750. In the absence of this feature, when the thumb screw 750 is rotated with a certain amount of force on the tethers 726 and potentially twist the tethers 726 together which could lead to difficulty adjusting the tension on the tethers.

In some embodiments, the delivery device 700 also includes a grasper 760 as shown in FIGS. 11A, 21A, and 21B. The grasper 760 allows the operator to adjust the depth with which the device distal end 704 penetrates the patient's heart chamber as well as aids with maintaining the delivery device 700 during use. In general, the grasper 760 includes a grasper coupling aperture 762, grasper magnets 764, and a grasper adjustment knob 766 mechanically coupled to a grasper coupling wheel 768. The grasper 760 generally has an oblong shape. On one end, the grasper 760 includes the grasper coupling aperture 762 and on the opposing end is the grasper adjustment knob 766 coupled to the grasper coupling wheel 768. On its bottom surface is the grasper magnet 764 adjacent to the grasper coupling wheel 768. The grasper coupling wheel 768 is situated in an opening where it is raised above the surface of the grasper. As can be seen from FIG. 22, the delivery device 700 includes a device magnet strip 758 disposed on one side of the device. The device magnet strip 758 may be a single rectangular magnet or a series of individual magnets. In use, the grasper magnets 764 are able to couple to the device magnet strip 758. Adjacent to the device magnet strip 758 are a series of device tracks 756. The device tracts 756 are able to couple to the grasper coupling wheel 768 such that when the operator rotates the grasper adjust knob 766, the teeth of the grasper coupling wheel 768 are able to travel proximally and distally along the device tracks 756. The grasper coupling aperture 762 in this current example is a threaded connection that couples the grasper 760 to a standard VBM arm for supporting and adjusting the delivery device 700. When the grasper 760 is coupled to both the delivery device 700 and a support arm (such as a VBM arm), the operator may adjust the depth of the delivery device distal end 104 within the patient's heart cavity by simply adjusting the grasper adjust knob 766.

In some embodiments, the delivery device 700 includes a ratcheting mechanism for preventing back-driving (e.g. slippage) of the tether control lever 738 and the secondary release knob 740. A schematic of the ratcheting mechanism is shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a cross-section of the secondary release knob 740. The secondary release knob 740 includes a release knob central stem 745 and a release knob center screw 746 contained within. The release knob central stem 745 includes internal features for accommodating the natural outer profile of the turns of the release knob center screw 746. The release knob center screw 746 includes a series of ratcheting teeth 770 at its proximal and distal end within the release knob central stem 745. Disposed on two sides of the release knob central stem 745 are a series of three indentations 772 on each of the sides. The secondary release knob 740 includes two channels 771 situated on opposite sides of each other (180 degrees apart). Within each channel 771 closest to the release knob central stem 745 are identical ball bearings 774. Adjacent to each of the ball bearings 774 are two identical springs 776 and adjacent to the springs on their opposite side are two ratchet actuators 778. The ratcheting mechanism has three possible positions based on which well of the series of indentations 772 the ball bearing 774 is seated. When the ball bearing 774 is in the most proximal well, this places the ratchet mechanism in a position that prevents back-driving of the secondary release knob 740 and the tether control lever 738. When the ball bearing 774 is in the most distal well, this places the ratchet mechanism in a position that previews forward driving of the secondary release knob 740 and the tether control lever 738. Finally, when the ball bearing 774 is in the center position within the series of indentations 772, the secondary release knob 740 and the tether control lever 738 are free to move either distally or proximally along the axis of the release knob center screw 746. In some examples, the operator will pull the actuators 778 to release tension against the ball bearing 774 and adjust the tether control knob 738 to move the ball bearing 776 between the three possible positions. In other examples, the ratchet actuators 778 has two positions. In a first position, the ratchet actuators 778 maintains a force against each ball bearing 774 through the springs 776 to keep ball bearing 776 within the desired indentation 772. In a second position, the operator is able to release the force the ratchet actuator 778 exerts upon the ball bearing 774 and by adjusting the secondary release knob 740, is able to transfer the ball bearing 774 into a different well within the series of indentations 772.

In any of the embodiments herein, the proximal portion of the prosthesis may be expanded before the distal portion. For example, if it is difficult to advance the delivery device far enough into a left ventricle to deploy the distal portion first, or if it is undesirable to deploy the distal portion first against mitral valve anatomical structures (e.g., the chords), the proximal portion can be deployed first. The delivery devices herein can be modified with an outer component that can be axially moved to allow the proximal portion to expand while still radially constraining the distal portion for subsequent expansion.

Turning to FIGS. 23A-G, another embodiment of the mitral valve replacement delivery device 800, is shown. The delivery device 800 shares many of the same features as the delivery devices already described, and thus, features that function the same will not be redundantly described, unless required for clarity. The major difference between the delivery devices already described and the delivery device 800 is that the previously described delivery devices, the distal end petals of the prosthetic valve are deployed first followed by the proximal end petals, while for the delivery device 800, the proximal end petals are deployed first. The delivery device 800 has a device proximal end 802 and a device distal end 804. The delivery device 800 includes two inner sheaths, a distal inner sheath 815 and a proximal inner sheath 816. The distal inner sheath 815 is able to telescope over the distal end of the proximal inner sheath 816 (FIGS. 23A and B). FIGS. 23 C and D show how the proximal inner sheath 816 may be extended and retracted in conjunction with the distal inner sheath 815. Similar to the previous delivery devices, the delivery device 800 includes a tether retainer 820, where the tether retainer 820 is stationary along the centrals stem 818. The prosthetic valve is held in the same manner and orientation as in the previous delivery devices.

Once the prosthetic valve has been coupled to the tethers and the tether ends maintained with the tether retainer 820, the tether control lever 838 may be pulled proximally to tension the proximal petals of the prosthetic valve to close the petals about a central stem 818. The distal end petals of the prosthetic valve may then be forced into a closed position by further pushing the proximal distal sheath 816 distally so that it eventually covers the entire prosthetic valve. Once the entire prosthetic valve has been collapsed, the distal inner sheath 815 may cover a portion of the proximal inner sheath 816. The distal inner sheath 815 is controlled by a distal inner sheath controller 819, which is able to retract and extend the distal inner sheath 815. At its most distal position, the distal inner sheath 815 abuts the nosecone 806. Once the collapsed prosthetic valve is within the distal inner sheath, the proximal inner sheath 816 may be retracted proximally.

To release the prosthetic valve, tension on the tethers may be relaxed. As FIGS. 23E and F show, the distal and proximal inner sheaths 815 and 816 may be positioned to expose the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve first. This is done by pulling the proximal inner sheath 816 slightly in the proximal direction while also extending the distal inner sheath 815 in the distal direction to first expose the proximal petals. Once the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve are fully open and positioned, the operator may move the distal inner sheath 815 distally to expose the distal end petals of the prosthetic valve, where the distal petals will naturally curl/flair out to their natural state once the constriction by the distal inner sheath 815 has been removed. The proximal inner sheath 816 may be further retracted to expose the tether retainer 820 so that the tether pockets containing the tether ends are exposed and the tether distal ends may pop from each respective pocket. The delivery device 800 may also include an outer sheath for initially positioning the device within the patient's heart.

Yet another embodiment for prosthetic valve delivery, a delivery device 900, can be seen in FIG. 24A-24F. The delivery device 900 also release the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve first. The delivery device 900 as shown in FIG. 24A uses a slightly different mode of maintaining the tether for the prosthetic valve compared to delivery device 800. Similar to delivery device 800, the delivery device 900 includes a shorter distal sheath 915 that abuts a nosecone 906 at a device distal end 904. The delivery device 900 includes a distal sheath 915 that may extend and retract with the use of a sheath controller 952 (FIG. 24B). The delivery device 900 further includes a central stem 918. Unlike in previous configurations, the central stem 918 here further includes a series of nesting tubes. In this particular configuration, nine nesting tubes 933 are arranged around a center core that runs to the nosecone 906. The center core houses a guidewire known in the catheter arts. Instead of a tether control lever, the delivery device 900 includes a tether control knob 938, where the tether control knob 938 functions to increase, decrease, or maintain tension on the tether ends. Similar to the other delivery devices, the proximal ends of the tethers are maintained at the tether control knob 938. In one example, each tether runs from the tether control knob 938 to a nesting tube 933 until it reaches the tether retainer 920. Each tether exits its respective nesting tube at a distal location and threads into a corresponding tether retaining aperture 923, where each tether travels the length of the tether retainer 920 and exits the tether retaining apertures 923 at its proximal end. From there, each tether distal end may be introduced into corresponding tether pockets 924 and tether slots 922.

To load a prosthetic valve, the free tether ends near the distal end of the delivery device 900 are looped around the distal end petals of the prosthetic valve. Once the tethers have been coupled to the prosthetic valve, the tether control knob 938 may place tension on the distal end petals through adjusting the tether control knob 934 and pull them close toward the central stem 918. In delivery device 900, the distal sheath 915 may be pulled back proximally along a central stem 918. When the distal end petals have been so tensioned as to pull them straight, the distal end sheath 915 may be extended proximally to cover the distal end petals. Further retracting the distal end sheath 915 will begin to cover the proximal end petals of the prosthetic device. The collapsed prosthetic valve and the tether retainer 920 are eventually completely maintained within distal inner sheath 915. The sheath control knob 952 adjusts the position of the distal inner sheath 915 through lead screw 950. The distal sheath 915 abut the nosecone 906.

For deploying the prosthetic valve, the distal inner sheath 915 may be extended distally relative to the tether retainer 920 by adjusting the sheath control knob 952. When this occurs, the proximal end petals are exposed. Because the distal inner sheath 915 was the only thing keeping the proximal petals in a straightened configuration, once this confinement is removed, the proximal end petals will relax and curl to their natural shape (FIG. 24C). Once the proximal end petals have been place in an optimal location within the patient's heart, the distal inner sheath 915 may be further extended distally in conjunction with relaxing tension on the tether ends through adjusting the tether control knob 938 which allow the distal end petals to relax and expand (FIG. 24D). The distal inner sheath 915 may be further advanced distally such that the pockets of the tether retainer 920 are exposed and the tether ends are allowed to become uncoupled to the tether retainer 920 (FIG. 24E). Finally the tether ends may be tensioned so that they are pulled free from the prosthetic device completely (FIG. 24F), where now the delivery device may be removed.

FIG. 10 shows another exemplary delivery device 600 that is configured to expand the proximal portion before the distal portion. The central assembly of delivery device includes an expansion control member, and in other embodiments herein. However, in this example, the expansion control member is positioned and configured to maintain the distal portion in a collapsed configuration. The proximal portion is allowed to freely expand upon retraction of the outer sheath. In use, the sheath control handle 652 is retracted in the proximal direction (as shown by the arrow), causing proximal sheath 616 to be withdrawn proximally. This causes the proximal portion of the expandable anchor to self-expand. The distal portion of the expandable anchor is still maintained in a collapsed delivery configuration radially within the distal sheath 615. To expand the distal portion of the anchor, sheath control handle 652 is advanced distally, causing distal sheath 615 to be distally advanced (as shown by the arrow) past the distal portion of the expandable anchor. This causes the distal anchor portion to self-expand. Thus, device 600 is configured such that a proximal portion of the expandable anchor is expanded before the distal portion.

The device in FIG. 10 can similarly include any of the additional restraining elements (e.g., tethers) described herein to further control the expansion of either the proximal or distal anchor portions.

In all the embodiments that allow for deployment of the proximal end petals of the prosthetic valve, an outer sheath may be present for maintaining the incision site similar to what was described for the delivery device that provided deployment of the prosthetic valve distal end petals first.

For any of the delivery devices described herein, certain portions of the delivery device may be composed of transparent or see-through material. This may aid the operator with visualizing what is occurring to the tether lengths and/or prosthetic valve while held within the inner and/or outer sheath.

One or more tethers or suture loops may or may not be included in any of the embodiments herein. For example, any of the restraining elements herein may be used in system that utilizes tethers, but they may also be used in devices without tethers (or tethers).

Aspects of the delivery devices and methods may be combined with aspects of the delivery devices and methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/677,320, U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,948, or International Patent Application filed May 13, 2016 and titled “REPLACEMENT MITRAL VALVES,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Although described herein for use with a mitral valve prosthetic, the delivery systems described herein can be used with a variety of different implantable devices, including stents or other valve prosthetics.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth in the claims.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 

1. (canceled)
 2. A method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve into a patient, comprising: extending a delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a sheath of the delivery device; pulling the sheath proximally to expose at least a distal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve, thereby enabling the distal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; pulling the prosthetic mitral valve proximally to seat the distal anchor in the expanded annular configuration against the mitral valve annulus; loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device so as to enable a proximal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a second side of the mitral valve annulus; pulling the sheath further proximally to enable the tethers to release from the proximal anchor; and removing the delivery device from the heart.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of pulling the sheath further proximally releases distal ends of the tethers.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising releasing a proximal end of at least one of the tethers if a distal end of the at least one tether becomes tangled.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein distal ends of the tethers are positioned within pockets of the delivery device, and the step of pulling the sheath further proximally releases the distal ends of the tethers from the pockets.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the distal ends of the tethers include enlarged features configured to fit within the pockets.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the enlarged features are cones or spheres.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the expansion of the proximal anchor causes the proximal anchor to move towards the distal anchor and to capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising, prior to the step of pulling the sheath further proximally: tightening the plurality of tethers to re-collapse the proximal anchor; moving the distal anchor to a new position against the mitral valve annulus; and re-loosening the plurality of tethers so as to enable the proximal anchor to self-expand to the expanded annular configuration on the second side of the mitral valve annulus, the expansion of the proximal anchor causing the proximal anchor to move towards the distal anchor and to capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor.
 10. A method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve into a patient, comprising: extending a delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a sheath of the delivery device; sliding the sheath to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve, and enabling the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; enabling a distal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve to self-expand on a second side of the mitral valve annulus after enabling the proximal anchor to self-expand; and removing the delivery device from the heart.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein sliding the sheath comprises sliding the sheath distally.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein sliding the sheath to expose at least the proximal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve enables the proximal anchor to self-expand to the expanded annular configuration.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein enabling the distal anchor to self-expand comprises loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device that are coupled to the distal anchor.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the expansion of the distal anchor causes the distal anchor to move towards the proximal anchor and to capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor.
 15. A method of delivering a prosthetic mitral valve into a patient, comprising: extending a delivery device into a heart with the prosthetic mitral valve collapsed within a proximal sheath and a distal sheath of the delivery device, the distal sheath being configured to telescope over a portion of the proximal sheath; sliding the proximal sheath proximally to expose at least a proximal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve, and enabling the proximal anchor to self-expand to an expanded annular configuration on a first side of the mitral valve annulus; enabling a distal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve to self-expand on a second side of the mitral valve annulus after enabling the proximal anchor to self-expand by extending the distal sheath, the expansion of the distal anchor causing the distal anchor to move towards the proximal anchor and to capture tissue of the mitral valve annulus between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor; and removing the delivery device from the heart.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein sliding the proximal sheath proximally to expose at least the proximal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve enables the proximal anchor to self-expand to the expanded annular configuration after loosening a plurality of tethers of the delivery device that are coupled to the proximal anchor.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tethers are tensioned to completely free the plurality of tethers from the proximal anchor.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein enabling the distal anchor of the prosthetic mitral valve to self-expand comprises sliding the distal sheath away from the proximal sheath. 